The Nets were left speechless after a brutal 105-103 loss to the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, giving them their 14th loss in 17 games.
Jacques Bourne admitted there must be reasons for his inability to play consistently for 48 minutes.
However, allowing too many offensive rebounds and lack of paint protection were at the top of the list.
“They were able to get to the rim for us 36 times and had 16 second-chance points,” the head coach said. “Every time you get a drive, if that drive doesn’t go in, it’s as good as the next one. [get] offensive rebound. That's why we want players who can take jump shots. Increases your chances of rebounding the basketball.
“Overall, I thought we left some guys on the table early in the game, in the first half, to figure out personnel-wise who was going to move the basketball and who could get to the rim. This is an important element in protecting the driver and knowing who is the driver and who is the shooter.”
The Nets pride themselves on being rim protectors, ranking third in the league in rebounds per game (46.4).
In the previous two games against the Cavaliers and Heat, the Nets were competitive defensively despite the results.
They held Cleveland to 34 points in the paint and outscored the Cavs inside, scoring 46 points.
The Nets held the Heat to six offensive rebounds and were even in the paint with 40 Intel points each.
He also had nine steals and nine blocks against Miami.
But Portland, which ranked last in the NBA in scoring, shooting, offensive rating, and effective field goal percentage before the game, held a 41-33 rebounding advantage and outscored Brooklyn 50-40 in the paint. Outperformed and made the most of them.
Additionally, the Nets committed 11 turnovers, and the Blazers turned those mistakes into 19 points.
“They had a lot of finishing in the paint,” center Nick Claxton said. “I think we could have defended the rim better tonight. We certainly could have had a little more blocking. Getting overwhelmed by Portland definitely leaves an aftertaste in your mouth. You can't fold. I We just have to keep working.”
“It definitely leaves an unpleasant taste in your mouth.” AP
Claxton had one block on the night.
The defense's lack of execution was evident in the final minutes as the Nets' 11-point lead was shrinking, as Portland guard Anfernee Simons easily drove into the paint for the game-winning floater. Ta.
This was due to a lack of communication.
Mikal Bridges said he called on Spencer Dinwiddie to help double-team Simmons, but by the time Dinwiddie was transferred, it was too late.
“Yeah, it's over,” said Bridges, the Nets' leading scorer. “We have to prepare for the next one.”
“I need to go see it again,” Claxton said. “I know we were going to double-team him. I don't know how he got those wide-open lanes to the rim. It was a tough finish. He shot a floater right over me. It was definitely a tough finish.”
What must change to thwart these opportunities at the rim for the remainder of the journey and, by extension, the season that is already slipping away?
Bridges doesn't know.
“I have no clue,” he said. “We all need to understand that.”
On Friday, the Nets will face the Lakers (21-21), who have lost five of their past 10 games, then take on the Clippers (26-14) to finish the road and return home to face the rival Knicks. (24-17) Tuesday.
